Dear Santa Paws

note:I wish the sentiments in this poem didn't need to be stated, but they do, for cats' sake. Lauren Merryfield, editor/publisher, catlines http://www.catliness.com Dear Santa Paws, We’ve been told you have a list And that you check it twice. But we’ve been forgotten about before And wanted you to know We haven’t been naughty Not even to the mice. We are the garbage cats of the world Thrown away, discarded like trash. A heavy hand hurt some of us While others simply got sick And weren’t worthy of a vet invoice. Taken to a place that looks like jail or Pushed out of cars left alone to die Somehow we ended up in Hell. Terrified beyond belief Till a human called a Rescuer Looked into our lonely eyes And saw the love beneath the pain Gentle hands, kisses and eye hugs Warm beds, full bowls, clean boxes. We’ve been given a second chance! But, oh Santa Paws, there something amiss Our human, the Rescuer, has been crying in the night We try to lick away the tears and paw away the fears But there is someone called Bills Causing all this misery and grief. Surely in that in that big red bag There is some sort of relief. Help us Santa Paws, this is what we need, Scoopable litter for our boxes Wet and dry food for our tummies Bleach to keep our beds clean Money for our medicine and vet care And heat to keep our house warm. Won’t you please help us Santa Paws? Take the toys to someone else. We just want to live... Warm beds, full bowls and happy health Is all we ask for on this Christmas Eve. Peaceful Paws On Earth! The Senior Kittizens At Purrever Ranch Written for with love and hope for all the homeless animals in the world. Rita Cockrell Wood December 2005 Rita Cockrell Wood, Founder Purrever Ranch (A Sanctuary For Senior Kittizens) http://gotcats.org